Fried Chickpeas

Fried chickpeas: A great and cheap snack based on the humble garbanzo bean.

Step 1: Gathering the Ingredients:

Ingredients:

1 (14 oz.) can of garbanzo beans
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup or so peanut oil– depending on the size of your pan. Pay no attention to the Canola oil in the photo. Peanut oil has a higher smoke temperature and is better for shallow frying.
1 tsp salt, to taste
1 tsp pepper, to taste.

Optional herbs or spices – you can add any kind of flavoring or spices you like.
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp ground cumin
seasoned salt - whatever.

Step 2: The Rinsing of the Beans

Rinse the garbanzo beans under running water to wash off the can juice.

Step 3: The Draining of the The Beans

Drain the garbanzo beans on a clean kitchen towel with a paper towel to blot.

Step 4: The Mixing of the Flour

In a medium size bowl, blend the flour, salt, pepper, and assorted spices of your choice together.   Roll the garbanzos in the flour mixture until they are evenly coated.

Step 5: Deploying the Oil

Pour the peanut oil in a medium-sized frying pan, until the oil is about a half inch deep.

Step 6: The Frying of the Beans

Heat the oil until its bubbly, and fry the garbanzo beans in small batches until crispy and golden.

Step 7: The Blotting of the Beans

Drain the beans on a paper towel, and use newspaper or phone book pages underneath to blot excess oil.

Step 8: The Enjoying of the Beans

Sprinkle on any additional salt, pepper or other seasonings if needed, and enjoy!